Comtoise clock - Antique - hand-pressed laton copper via the traditional Repoussé technique - 1850-1900

Fully working antique French Comtoise wall clock with date indication and lyre pendulum – France.

Offered is a special, collectible and fully functioning example of an antique French Comtoise wall clock (Morbier) in the signature Napoleon III style from around 1860–1880.

This specific model distinguishes itself from standard Comtoise clocks by the presence of a central date indication (numbers 1 through 31 on the inner side of the dial), indicated by an extra, semicircular moon hand.

The clock is a beautiful example of the historical and artisanal 'home workshop system' from the famous mountainous Jura region (Morez/Morbier) in France, where local blacksmiths and clockmakers hand-crafted these monumental timepieces in the 19th century. Today this style fits perfectly in both classical, antique and French country interiors.

Movement & Complications:

Movement type: Mechanical 8-day pinwheel or cage clock (week clock) with a stable and reliable anchor escapement.
Authentic drive: The movement has retained the highest degree of originality and still functions via the original rope-winding mechanism around the brass drums. It has not been converted to chains or steel wire, which is highly sought after by collectors.

Striking: Equipped with a traditional striking mechanism that chimes on the hour and half-hour on a clear-sounding bronze bell. Includes the characteristic historical Comtoise strike repetition (where the hour strikes are repeated after about 4–5 minutes).

Date complication (Calendrier): An additional gear train behind the dial ensures that the central date hand advances by exactly one day every 24 hours.

Materials & Techniques: Fronton & pendulum lens: High-quality, ultra-thin hand-pressed brass. Made via the traditional Repoussé technique, creating a stunning three-dimensional high-relief. The motif shows a highly detailed and vivid depiction of French peasant and harvest life. The brass retains a beautiful, warm and authentic antique patina.

Pendulum: A monumental and glossy lyre pendulum (harp pendulum) made from multiple brass rods.

Clock case & weights: Robust forged iron for the cage structure and doors, and heavy, solid cast iron for the weights. Bell: Cast bronze (bell clapper) for a long-lasting and clear tone. Dial: Round iron base, overlaid with a thick layer of white ceramic enamel and inset black numerals.

Condition report:

Mechanical: The clock is in working order; the movement runs and strikes correctly.
Dial: Authentic with a dense network of age-related craquelure and some superficial hairline cracks, appropriate for an age of over 150 years. No major restorations or large missing enamel pieces.
Accessories: This lot is delivered as a complete set, including the two original heavy cast-iron weights, each 4.5 kg (total weight 9 kg) with the original hanging eye.

Movement & Case: The inner works appear complete and clean. The original back doors and side doors are present and close properly. The brass fronton has a small historical crack on the lower left edge in the thin brass layer (see detail photo), which is completely normal for this type of clock and testifies to its pure age.

Delivery & Transport (Important):
Because of the length and extreme fragility of the large lyre pendulum, PICKUP is strongly preferred.
If the buyer insists on shipment, please note that the clock must be completely dismantled (movement, heavy cast-iron weights of 4.5 kg each, pendulum and brass fronton separately) and shipped in a very large, heavily protective box. This is the only way to prevent transport damage to the fragile antique material. The total shipping weight exceeds 15 kg due to the heavy weights. The risk of transport and the subsequent reassembly and careful regulation of the clock is entirely the buyer’s responsibility in such a case.
Shipping is, of course, by registered mail and fully insured.